Enrico Pucci
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- Nov 22, 2013
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12:35pm
Jörg walked into my office following by Jean Zimmer, Marlon Ritter and Avdo Spahic.
Jörg shut the door after them and leaned against it.
I had a flashback to when we tried an intervention on my ex-wife about her drug addiction.
The trio lined up in front of my desk. Avdo had his hands in his jean's pockets, Marlon held in front of him like he'd do in a wall to protect the boys, and Jean had his arms crossed.
"We want to talk to you about Julian Krahl," Jean said.
I remained silent and just looked back and forth between them.
"Ja, you should give him some games," Marlon said.
I nodded then looked at Avdo. He didn't say anything but decided now was the time to inspect his shoes.
"Okay, I hear you," I said. "I'd just like to confirm that we agree on a few points that affect this discussion." I looked back and forth between the trio. "One, we're currently in first place. We're chasing promotion. Two, we're on a nine game unbeaten streak during which we've conceded five goals. Three, we have the best defense in this league. Four, I'm looking at my number one keeper. Five, Julian signed a contract knowing full well how professional fußball works. In that managers tend to select a number one and ride him until there is either poor performances or a losing streak. And with my fifth point, I'd like to reference points one, two and three."
"Those are all valid points, Enrico, its just not fair that you can't play Julian in a few games," Jean said.
"True," I agreed. "Fußball is not fair. Ask Ulf about his final season playing at Bayer. They were leading the Bundesliga with only a couple matches left, in the DFB Pokal Final and in the Champion's League Final. They lost out on all three that year. Or about the 2000 final matchday when Bayer were in first by three points, but lost and finished second on goal difference. Leverkusen have never won the Bundesliga. Those two sides were full of internationals. They should have won those titles. It wasn't fair."
"My knees gave out ending my playing career, the economy collapsed, and all my loans were called in," I continued. "I didn't have two euros to rub together. I couldn't even get my Alfa out of the shop. It wasn't fair. Life isn't fair. S*** happens. So I'm ruthless. I won't let anything I can control or manage get in my way of getting this club promoted. I can't be seen giving in to one player's demands or everyone will be pleading with me all day long for more playing time. Why do you think I've banished my former Assistant Captain Hendrick Zuck to train by himself? He wasn't training hard or well and argued with me when I pointed it out. I didn't want his poor attitude infecting my squad. Morale can be more fragile than you think, fate isn't fair sometimes."
"Finally, I would like to bring up point six," I said. "I find it a tiny bit ironic that playing Julian means you play less Avdo. I think that its noble for you to stand up for your colleague and I respect you for doing it. That's how I see this situation. In conclusion, I've spoken to Julian and I told him to be ready in case Avdo gets hurt or whatever."
"Ja, I recognize what you say," Marlon said. "But Julian is a big personality in Die Kabine. We don't want him 'infecting the team', to borrow your phrase, or anything."
"Well, between the five of us," I said. "Me and Jörg as management and you three as leaders of this squad, that's our job to manage. Managers can never keep everybody happy."
"Thanks for hearing us out, Enrico," Avdo said. "You know that Julian would do fine as my replacement."
I nodded in agreement. They filed out. Jörg shut the door after them.
"That was the f***ing s***," he said. "You f***ing told them. S***."
"Maybe we'll need another backup keeper in the January transfer window," I said.
"Nah," Jörg disagreed. "You f***ing sorted them out."